Colorado Water Trust engages in and supports efforts to protect and restore streamflows in Colorado. We accomplish this by: facilitating the transfer of water rights to the state�s Instream Flow Program; enhancing streamflow through structural or physical modifications; and providing education and technical assistance on water rights in conjunction with land conservation activities.

Impact Summary from the Nonprofit In 2010, Colorado Water Trust launched the Technical Assistance Program which had three elements. (1)The Water Workshops traveled across the state and provided an introduction to Colorado water law, instream flow transactions and the state's Instream Flow Program. Workshop are free and open to the public. (2) The Water Rights Consultation offered select Colorado land trusts the opportunity to review existing easements for an analysis of the organizations encumbered water rights and recommendations on how to manage water as a conservation value on their preserved lands. (3) An update of Model Language related to encumbered water rights in connection with conservation easements was initiated.  We also completed the Breem Ditch Project--a collaborative project on the Slate River near Crested Butte, CO--which provided instream flows to a perennially dry stretch of river, restoring valuable fish habitat. In addition, with the success of our projects to date, we were able to increase our annual operating budget by 50% going into 2011.  In 2011, we anticipate completing additional instream flow projects, continuing the success of the Technical Assistance Program with additional workshops, and the completion of the model language update.